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Thomas Hardy's ale is truly a world classic, it is
surely not easily found, andwell aged, it is indeed a hard to find beer. A
limited number of mixed vintage sampler packages have been released by the
importer, Phoenix Imports. They consist of one each 6.33 ounce 1994 and
1995, two 1996 11.15 ounce, one each 1997 and 1998 in that size. They are a
steal at $23, I grabbed two for that price a while back.
The 1994 nip is the oldest Hardy's I have ever drunk. I like the stuff with
a few years of age but I enjoy it young as well, consequently my Hardy's Ale
does not usually last five years. Beer is flat with a deep ruby color and a
rich raisiny nose. Palate is very raisiny leaning to prune flavored, subtle
chocolate and caramel, rich sweet malt, warm alcohol finish. Very nice beer
has aged nicely but lacking the fresh bread character that I enjoy in an old
ale.
Michael Jackson suggests five years of aging before drinking Thomas Hardy's
Ale. Still, I have enjoyed many a young TH, under the age of a year, and
though a butterscotch sweetness was definitely present, perhaps even a bit
cloying, the beer was delicious. This beer SHOULD strike you as different
from most beers, it is meant as a sipping beer, not a quaffing one, and is
extremely rich and warming.
I drank a young bottle of 1995 Thomas Hardy's back in 1996, (in the interest
of beerology of course), and at room temperature. I took a whiff from the
glass, and got strong butterscotch and fresh bread aromas. Upon taking the
first sip the butterscotch-like maltiness predominated followed by an
alcoholic warmth; this beer is incredibly complex, even at this young age.
Indeed, I have often countered many a wine enthusiasts argument that beer is
not as complex as wine by telling him he has obviously never imbibed a
Thomas Hardy's Ale.
As I said, I enjoy the beer young. back in January of this year, I popped a
1999 Hardy's. Deep amber color, rich, yeasty-fruity nose, good 1/2 inch of
head formed from a gentle pour. Palate is complex, raisin, vanilla, lots of
high octane scotch like alcohol warmth. A hint of malt but the chewy caramel
flavors have not developed, nor has the bready yeastiness I usually get in
aged Hardy's. The beer seemed slightly different to me than young Hardy's of
the past, I would always get a hint of the aforementioned missing
components. Will need to set some aside, but again this beer is quite
enjoyable as it is young.
Over the years, I have accumulated some rather interesting beer stories to
go along with my hobby. Thomas Hardy's Ale holds the honor of the weirdest
beer story I have. It was back in the mid nineties, and I had been going
crazy trying to find this beer, to no avail. One night, I had a dream that I
found some. For some reason this possessed me to go beer hunting in
Connecticut the next day. I hit all the familiar beer stores and had no
luck, even located a few new ones with good selections, but of course no
Hardy's Ale. I had given up hope, but as we passed through Groton my wife
noticed a small liquor store on the roadside. She suggested I stop there to
see if they had the beer. I, of course, sneered at the sheer lunacy of the
thought. We had been to all the larger stores, certainly this little mom and
pop would not be The One. I humored her. I looked in the coolers, on the
shelves, and of course came up empty. After giving the Mrs. a stern, "I told
you so", I headed for the door, for some reason turning my head to the shelf
that stood by it....and spied a three pack of Thomas Hardy's Ale. Which, of
course, I quickly purchased. Have I mentioned that Thomas Hardy's Ale is a
great accompaniment to humble pie?
Update, November 30, 2000: Popping a 1996 Thomas Hardy's tonight from a 11.15 ounce
bottle. Dirty brown color, almost like prune juice. Little carbonation
though the faintest amount of bubbles do form on the surface of the beer.
Big fruity nose. Palate is very rich and complex, like a glass of fruit
cake! There's a chewy cake like maltiness, complex fruit, a little butter,
some caramel, and a very rum-like, warming alcohol finish that finishes off
the fruit cake analogy nicely.
 
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For
reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled (D)=Draft |
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